Pa. House candidates nix interest in Gerlach seat

The announcement this week by U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach that he won’t seek a seventh term doesn’t change the plans of the men running for a state representative’s seat in the same area, the three candidates said Wednesday.

Downingtown Mayor Josh Maxwell and Caln Commissioner Josh Young, both Democrats, and Republican Harry Lewis all said they plan to continue their runs for the 74th state House seat. Those intentions didn’t change when Gerlach announced Monday he wouldn’t seek reelection in Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District.

The 74th State House encompasses Caln, Coatesville, Downingtown, East Caln, East Fallowfield, Modena, Parksburg, South Coatesville, Sadsbury and Valley.

Some Chester County municipalities included in the 6th Congressional District are parts of Caln, Downingtown, parts of East Bradford, East Caln, West Chester and parts of West Bradford. The district also includes parts of Montgomery and Berks counties.

Advertisement

Since there are no restrictions limiting an individual to seek election in a Congressional District outside of their current municipal residence, all three are eligible to run for Gerlach’s seat.

“I’m honored by the notion that people would want me to represent them in that capacity, and it’s a sign that what we are accomplishing in Downingtown is getting noticed,” Maxwell said. “Right now, I’m committed to serving the Downingtown community, and focusing on my campaign for the 74th state House district, where I can tackle the issues facing western and central Chester County.”

Young, who was recently reelected for a third term as Caln Commissioner, does not live within the district represented in the PA-6th District. However, he is still eligible to run.

“I live on land my family has owned for four generations,” Young said Wednesday. “I have no intentions of moving to run for Congress in a district I do not reside in.”

Young said he believes his time spent balancing eight budgets with no tax increases over the course of his time as a Caln Commissioner would make him a successful candidate for the 74th.

Like Maxwell, Lewis is a resident in the 6th Congressional District but is maintaining his focus on the state 74th District race, said William Miller, the chief coordinator for Lewis’ campaign.

“He’s committed to running for the 74th,” Miller said. “He has no interest in taking Gerlach’s seat what-so-ever.”

Lewis was the past chairman of the Brandywine Health Foundation board of directors, principal of Coatesville Area High School and served as head track coach there for 36 years.